Serena Williams is the highest-ranked tennis player on the list, with the huge impact she has made earning her a lofty position of No 2 behind controversial No 1 choice, swimmer Michael Phelps.
Williams’ legacy stretches well beyond the tennis court, with the legacy she created inspiring the generations that have followed her lead.
Sloane Stephens and Coco Gauff are among the Grand Slam champions who credited Serena and her sister Venus Williams as their inspiration, with tennis fortunate to have a legend of her magnitude in our sport for so long.
The ranking of male tennis players in the ESPN list is certain to spark a debate, with Roger Federer well ahead of Rafael Nadal and Djokovic despite winning less Grand Slam titles than his two great rivals.
Djokovic’s 24 major wins and his record number of weeks as world No 1 puts him in a league of his own in his battle with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
Yet Djokovic finds himself comfortably behind Federer in the ESPN list ranking the best 100 athletes of all time, with the Swiss great at No 6 and the Serbian hero at No 11.
The debate over who should be hailed as the greatest male player of all-time may be sparked once again by the release of this poll.
Yet the impact made by Djokovic’s two great rivals still sees some observers rank them ahead of the Serbian great and Federer has won the battle in the ESPN list.
